IH01-TrendyScientist
From IEOR 170 Spring 2007
[edit] Good Design: Nokia Phone Charger
Figure 1: Hole in Nokia phone | 
Figure 2: Nokia charger | 
Figure 3: Message on screen |
The Nokia phone charger incorporates several aspects of good design. The Nokia phones have one hole (Figure 1) that affords putting something into it. The charger tip (Figure 2) is a jack that affords putting it into something. The charger’s circular tip allows the user to make the right connection on the first try. The Nokia charger is superior to the variety of chargers where the tip is more rectangular, and several possible ways of inserting the rectangular chargers into the phone often cause confusion. Several attempts may be needed to properly fit these chargers into their corresponding phones.
The Nokia phone also provides positive feedback for the charger by playing a special noise to signify that the charger is plugged in, and by displaying a message on the screen (Figure 3).
Additionally, the charger has been designed for use with all of Nokia’s phones. The charger is cost-effective for the user because as users upgrade to newer Nokia phones, they need not purchase new chargers.
[edit] Bad Design: The Tote Bag
Introduction
The tote bag is a staple in the accessory closets and on the shoulders of women today. They are both fashionable and great for carrying around books, clothing, groceries, and many other every-day items. The tote bag can be carried by hand and on the shoulder using the two handles.
Problem
The bag’s two handles are the same length. When carried by hand, the handles stay together and the bag can be both comfortable and stable in the hand (Figure 4). However, a problem occurs when the bag is carried on the shoulder. The shoulder is angled downwards. When the two handles of the same length are placed on the angled shoulder, the handle furthest away from the midline of the body falls off the shoulder towards the ground (Figure 5). This problem occurs in most bags, and women agonize daily about the need to constantly pull the handle back onto the shoulder.
Figure 4: Tote carried by hand | 
Figure 5: Angled shoulder, outer handle falls |
Solution
The suggested improvement is an addition of an accessory for the bag rather than a modification of the way the bag is designed. The preservation of the current bag design is important for aesthetics and versatility (shoulder and hand carrying). Additionally, it would be very difficult to retroactively modify the main design of existing bags.
Figure 6: Both parts of the accessory |
The accessory (Figure 6) consists of two removable magnets placed on the handles of the bag. The magnets are strong enough to hold the handles together when used on the shoulder. The magnets are attached to a tacky elastic band that has a pull-cord adjuster. The accessory is placed on each strap by folding the elastic loop around the handle and pulling the magnet through the loop. The pull-cord adjuster can be used to secure the accessory to the handle. The elastic allows the accessory to be adjusted for different handle sizes and therefore causes minimal deformation to the handle. (See Figure 7 for directions) The tackiness of the elastic allows for the stabilization of the accessory to the handle at any position the user desires.
The accessory (Figure 8) can be decorated with a variety of materials that can match the aesthetics of the bag. The accessory is easily integrated into the design of existing and future bags, and allows the user to continue to carry their bag by both hand and shoulder. The user can also use the accessory for multiple bags.
Figure 7: Directions on attaching accessory |
Figure 8: Accessory on bag
